Review of Arctic Radar


Written by Toniann

  • You learn something new everyday -- I didn't know that Cabinet members formally resigned at the end of the term. And yet then I expected that to be more of an issue throughout the episode -- usually when the show makes a point of mentioning something like that, it comes back up in their face. Well, there's always next episode.

  • Hey, did CJ change her hair?

  • And while we're on the topic of CJ (sort of), how unfair was it for her to throw that Danny Concannon comment out there and then not follow it up with, "... and after he won his Pulitzer Prize, he moved to Rwanda, which is why we never see him anymore."

  • Is the New England accent Bartlet's or Martin Sheen's? I don't think I've ever heard Sheen exhibit it, but then again, I confess I'm not one for paying much attention to actors when they're not performing. After all, I'm a fan, not a fetishist. Still, though, if it's a Bartlet thing, I'm fairly impressed -- mostly because it's not constant, just something that crops up on certain phrases or words.

  • While we're on the subject, Josh boy, anyone who can talk about Romulans and Cardassians that fluidly should just throw in the towel and buy his own pin.

  • I was about to say that I loved Toby in this episode, but when do I not love Toby? From his getting pissy over what Sam is taking with him to his resistance to Will Bailey, to his eventual confession about fearing that he's lost his "blood" in writing... I just really like his character, there's no getting around it. Though when he kept burning pages of writing I kept thinking that I was surprised that the West Wing doesn't have a more sensitive fire alarm system going. But they do have those nifty personal extinguishers, so that's reassuring.

  • I have the distinct feeling that we're going to spend some time talking about Vicky Hilton in this thread. Well, I leave it to the experts. I'm not a military buff and I haven't spent much time thinking about the US Code or the ramifications of the chain of command. I do confess that were I so inclined, I'd probably end up in the same camp with Jordy, Andy, Abbey, and the girls. And Charlie. By the end of the episode, I was starting to get the feeling that this was one of those times everyone -- Fitz, Leo -- actually wanted the president to get involved, but didn't want to push him in that direction. Though I could be wrong about Leo. I think he was more pleased with the attitude behind the president getting involved than the actual opinion.

  • For the record, I tend to agree with Charlie -- if he could completely dodge the UN Secretary General and keep him from contacting the president, I would think that was troubling. And as a former secretary to an elected official, I have to tell you, that scenario with Bartlet yelling into the phone brought back some charming memories.

  • I think my favorite moment in this episode was when Josh and Amy had just finished their latest round of wonderful banter and Leo came through and mumbled a groan at what he'd overheard. I hear ya, guy.

  • Yeah, I kind of thought Donna wouldn't ultimately be thrilled at Josh's choice of anecdotes about her past actions to Jack Reese. Although it was sweet of him to tell her that he thought they were endearing stories that would make someone -- him -- like her. Oddly enough, I detected a hint of that old Josh/Donna UST they used to throw at us in earlier seasons -- I mean, Jack picked up on it too, so I'm not alone in that. Not sure why TPTB brought that up again, since Amy's around and kicking, even if not currently involved with Josh. Seemed out of place.

  • You people called it: I recall several posters mentioning the possibility that Will Bailey would end up subbing for Sam... on how permanent a basis we don't know yet, but still. Somehow I didn't quite think that's where they were headed, but when I'm wrong, I say so. On the other hand, I was right about Elsie Snuffin being his sister. Stepsister. Close enough.

    And with that -- Happy Thanksgiving, for everyone here in the US -- and for everyone else, good evening!

    "Is today a special Star Trek holiday or something?"


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